Beef Enchilada Mac and Cheese

by aimee @ shugarysweets on October 30, 2013

Getting three servings of Dairy each day is a goal for my family. Easy Stovetop Enchilada Mac and Cheese helps meet this goal! Dinner in 30 minutes!

I seriously think I have the best job. It can be weird at times. I mean, baking peppermint cookies in October may not be normal for you. Visiting a dairy farm and milking cows, may not be normal either (unless of course you are a farmer)!

A couple weeks ago I got the opportunity to spend a few days with the American Dairy Association, some of my favorite blogger friends, and a few cows. Yep, this city girl went to the farm! But of course we first got to stay in a fun, swanky hotel in downtown Cleveland, Ohio!

Besides being spoiled with a delicious wine and cheese dinner, we learned how to pair the RIGHT wine with the RIGHT cheese. We also had to go to bed early that first night, cause we were getting up in the morning to milk cows.

Cross it off my bucket list, I milked a cow. Well, I guess I’d technically have to put it on my bucket list first, then cross it off. Regardless, I milked her.

Our group not only visited two dairy farms (thank you Indoe and Andreas families!), but I learned so much too. All my preconceived notions about cleanliness and care of the cows went out the window. From the little farmer to a big farmer, they really do care for their cows! Happy healthy cows make the best milk!

And the baby calves…oh my they were so cute! I even hand fed one a big bottle of milk. I’ve bottlefed many babies in my life, but this by far was the biggest one day old “baby” and the biggest bottle of milk!

We also made a stop at Pearl Valley Cheese to see the process of cheesemaking (and get some samples of course)! Add in the visit to an Amish home for lunch (something about our big bus just didn’t fit right at their home), and the day would have been complete.

But of course, it wasn’t over. We visited the Browns football stadium for a swanky dinner and a chance to meet Joe Thomas (and wife!) and talk about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program! Joe and his wife, Annie are two of the most humble and kind people I had the chance to talk to on this trip!

On the third day, we fought through our exhaustion and went to school. We visited a local school and talked with the principal about school nutrition and how the Fuel up to Play program is helping her students.

Besides eating my weight in cheese over a 3 day period, I also learned quite a bit about the benefits of dairy. I mean, sure we’ve all seen the food pyramid, plates (whatever the new program is), but do we know WHY our bodies need those amounts?

In a large pot (or saucepan), heat cream, enchilada sauce, cumin and salt on medium heat. Whisking often, heat until mixture just begins to bubble. Reduce heat to medium low and add in cheese. Stir until smooth. Mix in the cooked ground beef and the cooked noodles. Serve hot and enjoy immediately!

**This post is written on behalf of the American Dairy Association, Mideast. They provided me the opportunity to tour the farms, receive samples and learn about dairy! All opinions expressed are 100% my own!

I looooove cheese! I probably get more than my daily amount of dairy just from eating BabyBell Cheese. this recipe for Mac n cheese is so fun! I need to try it!!!Meghan @ The Tasty Fork recently posted..Clean Eating Oven Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Soup

I have to admit that milking a cow scares me a bit, BUT I would love to feed those baby cows, they are adorable! Oh and this mac and cheese? Brilliant, Aimee! Mac and cheese and enchiladas should have gotten together a LONG time ago heehee. Jess @ On Sugar Mountain recently posted..The Stuffin’ (aka Stuffing Muffins)

This looks awesome. I love the fact that you used 2 cups of heavy cream in this. My followers would kill me…just kidding What a fun trip. Those cows really looked well taken care off!! Lovely post and great recipe!!Eat Good 4 Life recently posted..Shrimp scampi pizza

Yeah, they probably would! You could totally cut it back to skim milk with some thickener (flour/cornstarch) to make it a bit healthier. Or, just come to dinner and your readers would never know aimee @ shugarysweets recently posted..65+ Thanksgiving Side Dishes

I tried this tonight. It was sooooo delicious! And easy!! My kind of meal!! I liked that it made a lot so there are plenty of leftovers without being so much that we’d be eating it for a month. I also liked how the cream lightened up the flavor enchilada sauce so it wasnt too strong of a flavor. It just came out perfect! I can be quite picky with my foods, so even though recipes look good I always have a little bit of fear going in, afraid it won’t taste as good as I think it will. But your recipe was BETTER than I thought it would be! It will be on regular rotation at my house! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

We stayed in the same hotel in February of this year, absolutely georgeous. I too ate my weight in food that weekend but it was from some of the wonderful restaurants in the area. I’m trying this recipe tonight I think.